Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers headlines NFL on Saturday
Sunday 24 December 2017 00:28, UK
Christmas weekend in the NFL kicks-off with a Saturday night double-header of live action.
Having clinched the NFC North crown last week, the Minnesota Vikings (11-3) are on the road against their divisional rivals Green Bay Packers (7-7), now hopeful of securing a first-round bye in the playoffs - live on Sky Sports Action from 1.30am.
Earlier, the evening's entertainment kicks off from 9.30pm with the Baltimore Ravens (8-6), who are in hot pursuit of an AFC playoff spot, hosting the Indianapolis Colts (3-11).
Here's a look ahead to Saturday night's action...
Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens, Sky Sports Action (407), 9.30pm
In a tweet...
The Ravens continue their pursuit of an AFC Wild Card playoff spot when they host a struggling Colts outfit playing only for pride.
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What's the latest?
The Colts put centre Ryan Kelly and inside linebacker Jon Bostic on injured reserve on Monday, ending their seasons.
Bostic led the Colts in tackles with 97. Kelly - Indy's first-round draft pick in 2016 - missed the last three games with a concussion. The team have signed defensive tackle Caraun Reid and claimed guard Mark Glowinski off waivers.
Stat attack
The Colts are one more collapse away from a bit of unwanted NFL history. Indianapolis have led at half-time in nine of their games so far this season, managing to lose seven of those contests, five in the final quarter. One more second-half implosion would equal the NFL record.
The Ravens currently lead the NFL in takeaways (33) and turnover differential (+17).
Key battle
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been much-improved since the team's Week 10 bye week. After throwing 10 picks before the bye, he has thrown just two in his last five appearances. Also, he topped 250 yards just once before the break, but has topped that mark in each of his last three games, including last week's season-high 288 yards against the Cleveland Browns. He seems to be getting hot at just the right time, and has the chance to keep that streak going against a Colts defense that's the NFL's third-worst at defending the pass, giving up an average of 257.3 yards per game through the air.
Game-changer
Frank Gore. The future Hall of Fame running back secured his 12th straight season with 1,000+ scrimmage yards after tallying 68 in their Thursday Night Football defeat to the Denver Broncos last week. His is the second-longest streak in NFL history, behind only Emmitt Smith, who had 13 consecutive seasons of 1,000+ scrimmage yards from 1990 to 2002.
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers, Sky Sports Action (407), 1.30am
In a tweet...
NFC North champs Minnesota can secure a first-round bye with a win on Saturday night combined with a Carolina loss on Sunday afternoon.
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What's the latest?
Aaron Rodgers has been placed back on injured reserve by Green Bay, one week on from making a comeback in the defeat to Carolina, after seven games out with a broken collarbone, suffered against Minnesota. The loss last Sunday official ruled the Packers out of playoff contention, so the team have turned back to Brett Hundley at quarterback, allowing Rodgers extra recovery time ahead of next season.
Meanwhile, Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returned last week for his first NFL action in 707 days, having gone down with a devastating knee injury in preseason before the 2016 season. He came on in relief of this season's starter Case Keenum with the Vikings owning a healthy 34-0 lead over the Cincinnati Bengals at the time.
Stat attack
The Vikings are the only team in the NFL this season that ranks in the top 10 in pass offense (246.4 yards per game), rush offense (121.3 YPG), pass defense (198.6 YPG allowed), and rush defense (85.3 YPG). Five of the previous 17 teams to rank in the top 10 in all four of those categories ended up winning the Super Bowl that year.
Key battle
With Hundley back at QB, the Packers must look to return to the run game which they somewhat abandoned last week against the Panthers. Rookie runner Jamaal Williams has impressed at times during the season, including a 113-yard effort against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13. But, he was held to only 30 yards off 10 carries against Carolina's fifth-ranked rush defense. It's an even tougher task that awaits this week - the Vikings are the second-best team in the league at stopping the run, allowing only 85.3 yards per game on average.
Game-changer
Case Keenum. While Bridgewater's return to action was undoubtedly a feel-good story, there is no doubting whose team this is. Keenum has been instrumental in leading this Vikings team to the NFC North title and postseason promised land - he has had five games with a 115+ passer rating and 70+ completion percentage, tied with Hall of Famer Brett Favre (2009) and Daunte Culpepper (2004) for the most such games in a season in franchise history.
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